Lynchburg Grows - lynchburg, Virginia

Shelley Blades -
Farm Manager/Executive Director

Lynchburg Grows was formed as a not-for-profit corporation in 2003 in response to a Lynchburg News & Advance story involving a local man living at the Longwood Group Home. Paul Lam, an individual living with mental retardation, had witnessed the destruction of the garden he had lovingly cared for due to a communication error. The founding members of Lynchburg Grows came together to help build a new garden for Paul, but their aspirations quickly expanded. The mission of Lynchburg Grows became to help all disadvantaged persons enjoy the healthy benefits of gardening and have access to such spaces.

Lynchburg Grows is responding to critical community issues by creating nutrition and food systems programming for elementary school children, implementing a vocational training program for disabled and low-income individuals, and organizing workshops for anyone interested in increasing their gardening efforts. Lynchburg Grows currently has programs at seven community centers, five targeted elementary schools, six local gardening efforts, and a summer camp. Lynchburg Grows is partnering with numerous local organizations to demonstrate the importance of sustainable, local agriculture and healthy living.

The H.R. Schenkel Urban Farm and Environmental Education Center consists of 9 historic greenhouses, a root cellar, a farmhouse, and a production center. The administrative building will also hold classes and workshops for children and adults throughout the year. Plans for expansion include the creation of a fruit orchard, an aquaponics system with tilapia, a poultry yard, and an apiary.

Since 2004, more than 2,300 community volunteers contributed over 25,000 hours to clear out dead rose plants and install growing systems for vegetables in 40,000 square feet of greenhouses.

Over 17,000 lbs. of fresh vegetables produce have been donated to a local food pantry and an equal amount sold to restaurants and sold at the local farmers market by disabled volunteers.